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Does ADT actually kill cancer cells?
It seems like a simple question, but finding a definitive answer is not so easy. My MO says yes - the combination of Orgovyx and Abiraterone does kill cancer and he wants me on it for two years (3 months leading up to radiation, 2 months during radiation, and 19 months post radiation) but almost everything I read says the ADT weakens cancer and causes it to in essence hibernate, but doesn’t kill it. I’m wondering if any of you guys know the answer to this?
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My understanding is that Casodex blocks testosterone from getting into cancer cells while drugs like Lupron lower testosterone. My doctor prescribed Casodex for me before I got my first Lupron injection because the goal was to handle the testosterone "flare" from Lupron. I'm now on Orgovyx, though, and if that was to be my ADT from the start I wouldn't have needed the Casodex.
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1 ReactionMy understanding is as follows, Casodex (bicalutamide) belongs to a class of drugs that does not reduce the production of testosterone, rather it prevents your body from using/processing testosterone. As a result, it tricks your body into thinking it’s not producing enough so you actually produce more. Even though it’s there in your blood, your body and the cancer are not able to utilize it.
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2 ReactionsIt would be good to discuss that with your doctor, since we don't have access to your test results, and most of us wouldn't qualified to analyse them anyway.
I will mention that Casodex is an ARSI: it's not meant to change the levels of testosterone or other androgens in your bloodstream (like ADT does), but to block the cancer cells from "seeing" the testosterone.
Many of us with metastatic cancer are on both ADT (to reduce testosterone) and ARSI (to hide any remaining testosterone from the prostate cancer cells). It seems to be a highly-effective combination.
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2 ReactionsAccording to drugs.com "Bicalutamide is given in combination with another medicine called a luteinizing (LOO-tee-in-ize-ing) hormone-releasing hormone, or LHRH. LHRH helps prevent the testicles from producing testosterone." I wonder if you are not taking the LHRH, can that give you the results you are seeing.
You said "I’ve done the research and have my own blood work to verify it; testosterone is not androgen and doesn’t feed the pc. As the androgen decreases the testosterone increases and psa drops.", please share with us your source/sources.
Prostate cancer cells feed off testosterone. AdT shuts down testosterone and therfore stops/slows cancer growth. PSA is the protein produced when cancer cells are detected.
You are not correct...do more research.
Wishing you the best! Let us know your progress and results.
Hello, I had the two treatments one week apart at UCLA Brachy Dept. in LA.
Pain was minimal. Bruising of the testicles and the area near and around the pernium was minimal. I had 17 penetrations each time. Constipation and the urge to urinate often were post surgery issues. It's been 2 weeks since the seconds treatment. Prep wasn't fun and neither eas the enemas, but all in all I'm satisfied. I'll get a psa test in three months.
don’t you think it’s strange that the only way my PSA lowers is when my testosterone rises?
I think that is strange, but im not a doctor.